Apparatus for dispensing coffee beverage

ABSTRACT

Means are provided wherein a supply of liquid coffee of a concentration which is too high for consumption is stored either in a carbonated condition at room temperature, or in a noncarbonated condition under refrigeration, a portion thereof being conducted at an adjustably selected rate to a mixing valve. Heated water and unheated water are added to the mixing valve in a proportion which is simultaneously adjusted, so that when the mixing valve is opened, a serving of coffee beverage is obtained having selected strength and having selected temperature. Where carbonated liquid coffee is employed, it is transferred to a decarbonating and heating chamber en route to the mixing valve.

United States Patent Inventor Richard T. Cornelius Minneapolis, Minn.

Appl. No. 44,926

Filed June 10, 1970 Patented Jan. 11, 1972 Assignee The CorneliusCompany Anoka, Minn.

Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 565,265, July 14, 1966, nowPatent No. 3,532,505. This application June 10, 1970, Ser. No. 44,926

APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING COFFEE BEVERAGE 20 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 99/275, 99/300 Int. Cl A231 1/00 Field of Search 99/275,

Primary ExaminerRobert W. Jenkins Attorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross& Simpson ABSTRACT: Means are provided wherein a supply of liquid coffeeofa concentration which is too high for consumption is stored either ina carbonated condition at room temperature, or in a noncarbonatedcondition under refrigeration, a portion thereof being conducted at anadjustably selected rate to a mixing valve. Heated water and unheatedwater are added to the mixing valve in a proportion which issimultaneously adjusted, so that when the mixing valve is opened, aserving of coffee beverage is obtained having selected strength andhaving selected temperature. Where carbonated liquid coffee is employed,it is transferred to a decarbonating and heating chamber en route to themixing valve.

0 l/OT Ill 475k APPARATUS FOR DISPENSING COFFEE BEVERAGE Thisapplication is a continuation-in-part application of my copendingapplication for US. Pat. Ser. No. 565,265, filed July 14, 1966, now U.S.Pat. No. 3,532,505.

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for dispensing coffeebeverage, and more specifically involves the use of a strong liquidcoffee as hereafter defined.

Although the principles of the present invention may be included invarious devices, a particularly useful application is made in a coffeevending machine of the coin-operated type.

In the art as presently known regarding the dispensing of coffee, acoffee beverage dispensed from a particular vending machine is ofpredetermined strength and temperature, and the purchaser is notafforded an option as to either of these variables. Moreover, coffeedispensing machines of relatively high capacity occupy considerablespace.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved apparatus for dispensing coffee beverage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus bywhich the user may exercise a choice in selecting the temperature of thecoffee to be dispensed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus bywhich the purchaser may exercise some choice in the strength of thecoffee beverage to be dispensed.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide apparatusfor dispensing coffee beverage which is of such construction as toreduce the storage volume required for a given capacity of dispensingapparatus.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus fordispensing coffee beverage which has a relatively high capacity andwhich requires relatively small space, as compared to prior devices.

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the presentinvention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon makingreference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheet ofdrawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating theprinciples of the present invention is shown by way of illustrativeexample.

ON THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram of an apparatus for preparing coffeebeverage of a special type;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams of two types of apparatus for dispensingcoffee beverage in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

AS SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS The apparatus for dispensing coffee beveragewhich is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2 contemplates the utilizationof a special strong coffee beverage which may be prepared in thefollowing manner, an understanding of which is helpful in fullyappreciating the diagram of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, ground roasted coffee beans of any selected type aredisposed in an extractor which is connected to a supply of hot water 11.A quantity of hot water is forced from the supply 11 through the bed ofground coffee in the extractor 10. The temperature of this water is suchas to be hot to the touch, but below 2l2 F. As the water passes throughthe extractor 10, it becomes cooled by the ground coffee so that itdischarges at a temperature which would be considered too low forconsumption, which could be approximately described as being lukewarm. Arelatively small quantity of water is passed through the coffee groundsso that an unusually strong infusion is created which has aconcentration that is too high for consumption and which is referred toherein as strong coffee." To facilitate an understanding of the quantityof water utilized, if the strong coffee beverage were to be consumedimmediately, it would then be diluted so that the "strong cofiee wouldrepresent approximately to 30 percent of the ultimate beverage volume,such ultimate volume being a coffee beverage infusion of normalstrength. For the apparatus of FIG. 2, percent of the ultimate volumewould be typical, and would represent a l to 4 dilution ratio. Ifdesired, the strong coffee beverage could be used immediately inaccordance with further principles of the present invention withoutfurther preliminary treatment. Such strong coffee would be used in theapparatus of FIG. 3, and would typically be stronger so that a dilutionratio of l to 20 could be employed. However, if the strong coffeebeverage requires a longer keeping time than refrigeration can provide,the strong coffee beverage is conducted to a carbonator 12 where thestrong coffee" beverage is subjected to gaseous carbon dioxide which isprovided from a source 13 thereof. As the temperature of the strongcoffee" in the carbonator is not significantly above room temperature,the carbonation is readily effected, and the carbonated strong coffee"is then transferred to a portable storage tank 14. The tank 14 issealed, and may be stored an indefinite period of time without heat orrefrigeration, and may be transferred to another location where adispensing machine is situated.

FIG. 2 illustrates the components of one embodiment of this invention asthe same is embodied in a coffee dispensing machine of the coin-operatedtype. The storage tank 14 comprises a supply of liquid strong coffeebeverage, which beverage has a concentration that is too high forconsumption. The storage tank 14 is connected to a supply of carbondioxide gas 15 by means of a pressure regulating valve 16a. The valve16a is so set that carbon dioxide gas pressure is applied to thecontents of the storage tank at such pressure as to maintain, or so asto substantially maintain, the carbonation that was initially providedby the carbonator 12. While the carbonated strong coffee will keep inthe storage tank without external pressurization when the tank is full,once the tank is partially emptied, a replenishment of the carbondioxide gas in the space above the remaining carbonated strong coffee isnecessary, and the supply 15 and valve provide such replacement.Furthermore, the pressure thus afforded in the storage tank 14 effectstransfer thereof to a heating and decarbonating chamber 16. A relativelysmall quantity is thus transferred from the storage tank 14 to thechamber 16, where such quantity or portion is heated. The heating makesthe carbonation of the strong coffee" unstable, and in fact drives offsubstantially all of the dissolved carbon dioxide gas, which thencollects above the liquid within the chamber 16. A relief valve 17 isset to crack or to relieve at a pressure slightly above atmospheric, sothat a very small pressure is maintained in the heating chamber for twopurposes. This slight pressure assists in the further transfer of theliquid, and also serves to extend substantially the keeping time of thedecarbonated strong coffee," during which time the strong coffee" isthus stored in a ready-to-use condition. The pressurizing carbon dioxidegas for the chamber 16 is thus derived from the beverage concentrate.The concentrate, when decarbonated, normally remains in the chamber 16for a sufficient period of time to allow the temporary foam that iscreated by the decarbonation to break up and to separate as gas and asliquid. In the event that the slight pressure in the chamber 16 werelost, as by jiggling of a gravity type of relief valve 17, such gaswould be replenished by an auxiliary carbon dioxide gasline 161: havinga pressure regulator valve 16c set to provide a pressure in the chamber16 below the reseating pressure of the relief valve 17.

The liquid portion of the contents of the chamber 16, namely thedecarbonated strong coffee, is then conducted by a line 18 to each ofthree valves 19, 20 and 21. The outlets of the valves 19-21 areconnected together and lead through a line 22 to a mixing valve 23 whichdischarges into a receptacle 24. The valve 19 is a throttling valve andis always open to allow a predetermined amount of liquid strong coffeeto flow therethrough in a given period of time. Yet there is always apressure drop across it during flow. The valves 20 and 21 are preferablysolenoid operated, and controls (not shown) are provided for the user toselect the strength of the coffee desired by determining whether neitherof the valves 20, 21 is to be energized, whether one of the valves 20and 21 is to be energized, or whether both of the valves 20 and 21 areto be energized. The relative capacities of the valves 19-21 are suchthat with the valve 19 serving alone to conduct strong coffee, theultimate sewing is relatively weak, and would be termed weak cofi'ee bythe consumer. When one of the valves 20, 21 is energized with the valve19, the volumetric rate of flow is augmented and hence the strength ofthe resultant coffee would be considered as being normal" by theconsumer. Thus the valve 19 in combination with one of the valves 20, 21is so arranged and adjusted as to effect delivery of a cup or quantityof coffee of normal strength, which can be adjustably made weaker byeliminating any strong coffee" flow through a valve parallel to thevalve 19. When both of the valves 20 and 21 are open, the quantity ofstrong coffee that will be delivered to the receptacle 24 is such thatwhen diluted as described below, it will still constitute a ratherstrong beverage, for example of the expresso" type. The valves 19-21thus comprise means by which the rate of flow for a given period oftime, and hence the ultimate coffee strength, may be selected oradjusted.

The mixing valve 23 is arranged to add water to the heated strongcoffee. For this purpose, a supply of cold water 25 and a supply of hotwater 26 are respectively connected by a pair of valves 27, 28 todeliver both cold and hot water to the mixing valve 23. Aninterconnection 29 is provided between the valves 27 and 28, suchinterconnection being diagrammatically illustrated as a rod carried on arotatably mounted eccentric selector knob 30. When the knob 30 isrotated about its center, the selector rod reciprocates. One directionof reciprocation opens one of the valves 27 while it closes the othervalve 28, while oppositely directed reciprocation has an oppositeeffect. The cold water source 25 and the hot water source 26 need not bean integral part of the dispensing system, and the cold water source mayhave the temperature of ordinary tap water.

With heavy usage, there is a possibility that some foam may be conductedthrough the line 18, the valves 19-21, and the line 22 to the mixingvalve 23. if the hot water from the valve 28 is discharged within themixing valve 23 in the form of a spray that is directed so as to impingeagainst any such foam, such foam is readily broken up. The valve 23, ina less preferred form, may discharge the strong coffee, the cold waterand the hot water into the receptacle 24 where mixing may take place orbe augmented.

The valves 27, 28 have been illustrated as being infinitely variable.Such feature is also useable in place of the valves 19-21. Discretepredetermined relative rates of flow are provided by the valves 19-21, afeature that may be utilized in proportioning the amount of hot and coldwater in place of the valves 27, 28.

The valves 27, 28 thus may be manually adjusted to enable the purchaserto select the serving temperature of the mixed beverage in thereceptacle 24.

When this invention is embodied in a coin-controlled dispenser machine,control of the valve 23 is provided by a timer (not shown) which opensthe valve 23 for a predetermined period of time. For this reason, it ispreferred that the combined volumetric rate of water flow through thevalves 27, 28 be maintained at a fixed volumetric rate.

As the amount of liquid beverage dispensed in the receptacle 24, ofnormal serving strength, will be derived or supplied from the storagetank 14 only to the extent of IS to 30 percent of such liquid, it isevident that a relatively small storage volume will enable thedispensing of a relatively large volume of coffee beverage at servingstrength and serving temperature. Moreover, such temperature may bevaried to suit the taste of the purchaser, and the strength thereof maylikewise be varied. Such apparatus has high capacity and uses relativelylittle space when compared to such capacity.

As most of the liquid is derived from the water sources 25, 26 these canbe connected to domestic type of supplies which would provide largewater reserves, thereby enabling virtually steady usage of the apparatuseven though a relatively small heater where employed in the chamber l6.

The term strong coffee as used herein relates to that type of nonpotablecoffee infusion which has been prepared to be like that describedherein, as distinguished from prior coffee extracts, syrups orconcentrates, or infusions of strong potable strength.

The space-saving aspects of this invention are particularly important.Assuming that the strong coffee" is diluted by the addition of 4 volumesof water, a system constructed in accordance with this invention havinga certain storage capacity in the tank or tanks 14 will have the sameultimate dispensing capacity without servicing as a machine having fivetimes such storage capacity in which dilution is not practiced.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 is provided for the use of noncarbonated strongcoffee." Therefore, the decarbonating chamber 16 and relief valve 17have been omitted. Further, with this embodiment, a somewhat strongerstrong coffee is utilized, namely a strength that is diluted typicallywith 20 parts of water to 1 part of such strong coffee. The coolingeffect of such a small ratio of unheated strong coffee on the heatedwater is sufficiently negligible, so that such effect can bedisregarded. Therefore, preheating of the strong coffee can be omitted,and all the heat is derived from the water source.

To extend the useful life of the strong coffee, a coffee concentratestorage tank 31 is disposed in an insulated cabinet 32. A refrigerationsystem 33 includes a heat exchanger 34 within the cabinet formaintaining an internal cabinet temperature of about 35 F.

The construction and operation of this form of the invention isotherwise the same as that of FIG. 2.

Although various minor modifications might be suggested by those versedin the art, it should be understood that 1 wish to embody within thescope of the patent warranted hereon all such embodiments as reasonablyand properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage for immediate consumption,comprising a. a chamber for storing a quantity of liquid coffee of aconcentration which is too high for consumption;

b. means for selectively conducting the coffee from said chamber to areceptacle;

0. means for mixing a supply of heated water and a supply of unheatedwater in a ratio wherein the flows of said heated water and saidunheated water are simultaneously adjusted, said water mixing meansbeing arranged to discharge the mixed water of selected variabletemperature into the receptacle at a fixed volumetric rate of flow.

2. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage as set forth in claim 1,in which said conducting means includes means for controlling thevolumetric rate of flow of the liquid coffee to an adjustably selectedrate for thereby regulating the strength of the coffee beverage to beconsumed.

3. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1,including means for heating said chamber.

4. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1,including means for refrigerating said chamber.

5. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1,including means for pressurizing said chamber with an inert gas.

6. Apparatus for dispensing a decarbonated coffee beverage according toclaim 1, said liquid coffee being carbonated, including:

a. means for pressurizing said chamber with carbon dioxide gas formaintaining the carbonation of the liquid coffee; and

b. means for heating said chamber for both heating and decarbonating theliquid coffee.

7. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1, inwhich said mixing means delivers water at a volumetric flow rate aboutfour times that of said conducting means.

8. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1, inwhich said mixing means delivers water at a volumetric flow rate about20 times that of said conducting means.

9. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1, inwhich said adding means delivers water at a volumetric flow rate aboutfour times that of said conducting means.

10. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1, inwhich said adding means delivers water at a volumetric flow rate abouttimes that of said conducting means.

11. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage, comprising:

A. a chamber for normally storing a multiserving quantity of liquidcoffee of a concentration which is too high for consumption;

B. closed system means for selectively conducting the liquid coffee fromsaid chamber to a serving receptacle, said means including means forcontrolling the rate of flow of the liquid coffee to a selected one of aplurality of rates for thereby enabling regulating the selectablyvariable serving strength of different servings of the coffee beverageto be consumed; and

C. means for adding heated water to the liquid coffee at a fixed rate tobring the mixture down to serving strength and up to servingtemperature.

12. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 11,including means for heating said liquid coffee storage chamber.

13. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 11,including means for refrigerating said chamber.

147 Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim ll,including means for pressurizing said chamber with an inert gas.

15. Apparatus for dispensing a decarbonated coffee beverage according toclaim 11, said liquid coffee being carbonated, including a. means forpressurizing said chamber with carbon dioxide gas for maintaining thecarbonation of the liquid coffee; and

b. means for heating said chamber for both heating and decarbonating theliquid coffee.

16. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage as set forth in claim 15,in which said water adding means includes means for mixing a supply ofheated water and a supply of unheated water in a ratio wherein the flowsof said heated water and said unheated water are simultaneously adjustedfor enabling selection of a variable serving temperature.

17. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage as set forth in claim 1l, in which said water adding means includes means for mixing a supplyof heated water and a supply of unheated water in a ratio wherein theflows of said heated water and said unheated water are simultaneouslyadjusted for enabling selection of a variable serving temperature.

18. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage comprising:

a. means for storing a supply of previously carbonated coffee of aconcentration which is too high for consumption, said storing meansbeing without heat or refrigeration, and under an atmosphere of carbondioxide gas for substantially maintaining the carbonation thereof;

b. a chamber fluidly connected to said storage means for receiving,heating, and decarbonating a quantity of the previously carbonatedliquid coffee;

c. means for selectively conducting the heated decarbonated coffee fromsaid chamber to a receptacle; and

d. means for adding heated water to the heated decarbonated coffee at afixed rate to bring the mixture to serving strength and temperature.

19. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage comprising:

a. a chamber for heating and decarbonating a quantity of previouslycarbonated liquid cofiee of a concentration which is too high forconsumption;

b. a relief valve connected to said chamber for relieving carbon dioxidegas driven from the cofiee during decarbonation and for maintaining alow pressure of carbon dioxide gas on the heated ready-to-useconcentrated beverage for an indefinite period of storage time;

c. means for selectively conducting the heated decarbonated coffee fromsaid chamber to a rece tacle; and d. means for adding heated water tothe eated decarbonated coffee at a fixed rate to bring the mixture toserving strength and temperature.

20. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage as set forth in claim 19,in which an auxiliary supply of carbon dioxide gas is connected by apressure regulator to said chamber for insuring presence of carbondioxide gas in said chamber at a pressure below that normally retainedby said relief valve.

1. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage for immediate consumption,comprising a. a chamber for storing a quantity of liquid coffee of aconcentration which is too high for consumption; b. means forselectively conducting the coffee from said chamber to a receptacle; c.means for mixing a supply of heated water and a supply of unheated waterin a ratio wherein the flows of said heated water and said unheatedwater are simultaneously adjusted, said water mixing means beingarranged to discharge the mixed water of selected variable temperatureinto the receptacle at a fixed volumetric rate of flow.
 2. Apparatus fordispensing a coffee beverage as set forth in claim 1, in which saidconducting means includes means for controlling the volumetric rate offlow of the liquid coffee to an adjustably selected rate for therebyregulating the strength of the coffee beverage to be consumed. 3.Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1,including means for heating said chamber.
 4. Apparatus for dispensing acoffee beverage according to claim 1, including means for refrigeratingsaid chamber.
 5. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according toclaim 1, including means for pressurizing said chamber with an inertgas.
 6. Apparatus for dispensing a decarbonated coffee beverageaccording to claim 1, said liquid coffee being carbonated, including: a.means for pressurizing said chamber with carbon dioxide gas formaintaining the carbonation of the liquid coffee; and b. means forheating said chamber for both heating and decarbonating the liquidcoffee.
 7. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim1, in which said mixing means delivers water at a volumetric flow rateabout four times that of said conducting means.
 8. Apparatus fordispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1, in which said mixingmeans delivers water at a volumetric flow rate about 20 times that ofsaid conducting means.
 9. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverageaccording to claim 1, in which said adding means delivers water at avolumetric flow rate about four times that of said conducting means. 10.Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according to claim 1, inwhich said adding means delivers water at a volumetric flow rate about20 times that of said conducting means.
 11. Apparatus for dispensing acoffee beverage, comprising: A. a chamber for normally storing amultiserving quantity of liquid coffee of a concentration which is toohigh for consumption; B. closed system means for selectively conductingthe liquid coffee from said chamber to a serving receptacle, said meansincluding means for controlling the rate of flow of the liquid coffee toa selected one of a plurality of rates for thereby enabling regulatingthe selectably variable serving strength of different servings of thecoffee beverage to be consumed; and C. means for adding heated water tothe liquid coffee at a fixed rate to bring the mixture down to servingstrength and up to serving temperature.
 12. Apparatus for dispensing acoffee beverage according to claim 11, including means for heating saidliquid coffee storage chamber.
 13. Apparatus for dispensing a coffeebeverage according to claim 11, including means for refrigerating saidchamber.
 14. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage according toclaim 11, including means for pressurizing said chamber with an inertgas.
 15. Apparatus for dispensing a decarbonated coffee beverageaccording to claim 11, said liquid coffee being carbonated, including a.means for pressurizing said chamber with carbon dioxide gas formaintaining the carbonation of the liquid coffee; and b. means forheating said Chamber for both heating and decarbonating the liquidcoffee.
 16. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage as set forth inclaim 15, in which said water adding means includes means for mixing asupply of heated water and a supply of unheated water in a ratio whereinthe flows of said heated water and said unheated water aresimultaneously adjusted for enabling selection of a variable servingtemperature.
 17. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage as set forthin claim 11, in which said water adding means includes means for mixinga supply of heated water and a supply of unheated water in a ratiowherein the flows of said heated water and said unheated water aresimultaneously adjusted for enabling selection of a variable servingtemperature.
 18. Apparatus for dispensing a coffee beverage comprising:a. means for storing a supply of previously carbonated coffee of aconcentration which is too high for consumption, said storing meansbeing without heat or refrigeration, and under an atmosphere of carbondioxide gas for substantially maintaining the carbonation thereof; b. achamber fluidly connected to said storage means for receiving, heating,and decarbonating a quantity of the previously carbonated liquid coffee;c. means for selectively conducting the heated decarbonated coffee fromsaid chamber to a receptacle; and d. means for adding heated water tothe heated decarbonated coffee at a fixed rate to bring the mixture toserving strength and temperature.
 19. Apparatus for dispensing a coffeebeverage comprising: a. a chamber for heating and decarbonating aquantity of previously carbonated liquid coffee of a concentration whichis too high for consumption; b. a relief valve connected to said chamberfor relieving carbon dioxide gas driven from the coffee duringdecarbonation and for maintaining a low pressure of carbon dioxide gason the heated ready-to-use concentrated beverage for an indefiniteperiod of storage time; c. means for selectively conducting the heateddecarbonated coffee from said chamber to a receptacle; and d. means foradding heated water to the heated decarbonated coffee at a fixed rate tobring the mixture to serving strength and temperature.
 20. Apparatus fordispensing a coffee beverage as set forth in claim 19, in which anauxiliary supply of carbon dioxide gas is connected by a pressureregulator to said chamber for insuring presence of carbon dioxide gas insaid chamber at a pressure below that normally retained by said reliefvalve.